Check out this Ford Shuttle Bus Camper with Nissan Leaf Batteries

The couple takes to the roads in a luxurious, solar-powered shuttle bus.

Many people dream of a beautiful front lawn and a white picket fence. While the safety and security of a suburban home can be appealing, others crave adventure and creative problem solving. Steph and Sarah may have decided to leave their suburban home in favor of the 2003 Ford E-550 shuttle bus. It is converted into a luxury motorhome with wheels, and uses house power from the Nissan Leaf electrical car’s batteries. Although it is larger than the Versa, it is still fascinating to see how compact Nissan components can be found in such large machines.
Sarah explains, “One day we were walking dogs in our cookie cutter house in our cookie cutter neighborhood.” “Stephanie had just left her job, and I had just lost mine… so here we were, two people living the American dream of being unemployed. We just suggested that we might need to try something new, something completely different.

The couple decided to convert a bus from their newfound flexibility. Steph and Sarah slept on the idea for 2 weeks and then found a medium-duty Ford E-Series shuttle to take them to their dream home.

Check out this Ford Shuttle Bus Camper with Nissan Leaf Batteries

The build took eleven months even though it was supposed to take only three months. The end result is amazing. The RV has many unique features. It includes a small woodburning stove, which heats up the area very well, and a marine stove burner that burns denatured alcohol. A large deck extends behind the bus and features an indoor marine toilet, a portable outdoor shower, and a denatured-alcohol marine stove burner. The Ford’s rooftop solar panels keep the two-in parallel and four-in series Nissan Leaf batteries charged.

 

Check out this Ford Shuttle Bus Camper with Nissan Leaf Batteries

Storage solutions are key in any small space. Steph and Sarah’s design is a great example of this. You can slide the toe-kick under the counters out and almost every overhead panel has storage binnacles in it. The built-in desk can be used to store the TV, and it will rise at the touch of a button.

The clever problem solving is concealed in a stylish, modern, luxurious design. The motorhome has a teak countertop that gives it a sophisticated look. There are also coordinating wood accents throughout. To hide joints, leather is used to wrap the roof beams. The same goes for the plywood ceiling’s grasscloth wallpaper. Reclaimed wood is used in the interior. The interior is complemented by copper hardware and fixtures. Although it’s not the only upgraded Ford E-Series, it is certainly the most luxurious.

Check out this Ford Shuttle Bus Camper with Nissan Leaf Batteries

Check out this Ford Shuttle Bus Camper with Nissan Leaf Batteries

Check out this Ford Shuttle Bus Camper with Nissan Leaf Batteries

The couple now travels the US using their campervan for a base. It allows for travel. The big Ford also serves as the mobile office of Project Blue, which Stephanie and Sarah manage to promote productive discussions about mental health. They take their job seriously and appreciate their custom RV more.